Lawn mower



v A. w. B WN LAWN mov'isn 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Obt. 21, .1919

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5 Sheets-Sheet a NW Qmw Q y LAWN MOWER A. w. BROWN Fild Oct. 21,

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A, w. BROWN 7 LAWN MOWER Filed-Oct. 21 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 QIZIIZ zen of the United States, residin Patented Aug. 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES man w. BBOWN,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF 8'1. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOB OI ONE-HALF '10 FRANK E. IOHILLIN, O1 CHEVY CHASE, mvnnm.

LAWN MOWER.

Application filed October 21, 1919. Serial No. 382,218.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that ALLEN W. BROWN, a citi- Louis, in the county of St. Louis ity and State of Missouri,'has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lawn Mowers, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to lawn mowers. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and efiicient motor lawn mower of strong, durable and comparativel inexpensive construction, equipped wit an internal combustion engine carried b the frame of the lawn mower and connecte with the rotary cutting cylinder thereof and adapted to positively drive the same inde endently of the supporting or traction w eels of the lawn mower, whereby the cutting mechanism of'the lawn mower may be driven b the internal combustion engine while the awn mower is moved over the ass to be out without the movement of the awn mower by the operator interfering with or affecting the driving of the cutting cylinder by the internal combustion engine. A further object of the invention 15 to provide a .motor lawn mower of this character provided with means for connectin the internal combust on engine with one o the supportin or traction wheels of the lawn mower apted to enable the internal ,combustion engine to be started by a forward movement of the lawn mower by the operator, and capable after the internal combustion engine has started of permitting the same to kick off from its connection with the sup rtin erate in epen ently thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a motor lawn mower equipped with adjustable means for enabling gears of different diameters to be employed for varying the speed ratio to adapt the lawn mower for cutting grass and the like under varying conditions.

A further object of the invention is to arrange conveniently the controlling means of the internal combustion engine so that the feed of gas to the en ine and the advancing and retarding of t e spark may be effected by .partially rotating means on the laterally extending grip members of the bandle bar of the lawn mower.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and at St.

or traction wheel and opnovel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and ointed out in the claims hereto apfiende it being understood that various c anges in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the sco e of the appended claims, may be resorte to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

'In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals of reference desi ate corresponding parts in the several F1gures:--

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor lawn mower constructed in accordance with this invention, the cap or cover plate of the sprocket gearing being removed to show the lever and the clutch of the sprocket pinion.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, iarts being omitted, and the caps or cover p ates being in section to illustrate the starting and driving mechanism more clearly.

Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the other side of the machine, the cap or cover plate of the spur gearing being removed.

Figures 4 and 5 are detail sectional views illustratin the manner of mounting and securin t e adjustable bracket for enabling gears 0 different diameters to be arranged on the drive or crank shaft of the engine for varying the speed ratio.

Fi re 6 is a detail sectional view of the hand e of the lawn mower, illustrating the manner of mounting the adjustable sleeves.

In the accompanying dravgigg, in which is illustrated the pre erred em iment of the invention, 1 designates an internal combustion en 'ne of the ordinary construction mounte on astand or bracket 2, which is suitably secured to one of the side lates of the side plate 3 and it consists of an intermediate curved portion or seat 5 and le or braces 6 and 7 arranged at the ends 0 the intermediate portion or seat 5 which presents an. upper concave face to the crank case of the internal combustion engine. The

internal combustion en no is of the usual type and as various ma es'of internal com- I bustion engines may be employed, a specific description of theparticular construction of [the en ine is deemed unnecessary. The

' desired manner. The

crank s aft or power shaft 8 of the engine extends across the frame of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings thereof, and one end carries a sprocket pinion 9 which is connected with the'shaft by a ball clutch 10 arran ed on the shaft at the inner side of the pinion and having tapered recesses 11 receiving balls 12. A sprocketchain 13 is trained over the sprocket pinion and is arranged on a sprocket wheel 14 which is connected with one of the supporting or traction wheels 15 of the lawn mower. A clutch may or may not be employed in the connection between the sprocket wheel 14 and the su porting or carrying wheel 15 and the sprociet gear is designed only for starting the internal combustion engine. When the lawn mower is pushed forward by the operator for starting the internal combustion engine, the supporting or traction wheel 15 rotates forwardly, and the sprocket inion 9 rotates in the same direct-ion, as inicatedby the arrow in the said figure. This causes the ball clutch to connect the crank or power shaft with the sprocket gearing, and the power shaft is rotated forv starting the internal combustion engine. As soon as the internal combustion engine is started, the engine speed will be far superior to the rotation of the sprocket wheel on the crank or power shaft, due to the pushing of the lawn mower .over the grass and the sprocket pinion 9 will operate as an idler and will not affect the rotation of the crank or power shaft whenthe motor is'in operation. The sprocket gearing is housed within a cap or cover plate 16, which may be secured to the adjacent side plate of the frame of the lawn mower in any desired manner, and which is readily removable to afford access to the sprocket earin The ot er en of the power shaft 8 has detachably or otherwise secured to it a driving pinion 17 which may be mounted in any ower shaft is shown journaled in the side ate 4 of the frame of the lawn mower. -T is detachable connection of the pinion 17 provides a convenient means for enabling one driving pinion to be substituted for another for chan 'ng the speed ratio of the lawn mower, Tint any other suitable means may, of course, be emploved.

e pinion 17 meshes with a master gear 20 which also meshes with a sprocket pinion 21 keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 22 of the cutting cylinder 23. The shaft 22 of the cutting cylinder 23 is journaled in suitable bearmgs of the frame of the lawn mower and the pinions 17 and 21 are preferably constructed of steel, while the master gear is designed to be made of bronze, but any other suitable materialmay, of course,

be employed in the construction of the gears. The packing 18 is arranged within a thrust collar 19 secured to the shaft 8. In order to enable gears of different diameters to be mounted on the crank or ower shaft 8, the master gear 20 is carrie by an adjustable bracket 24 having a suitable stub shaft 25 for the master gear and ivoted at its lower end by the shaft 22 an provided at its 11 per end with an arcuate slot 26 through whic passes the power shaft. The bearing bracket 24 is provided with an angularly related arm 27 having an arcuate slot 28 through which passes a clamping bolt 29 mounted on the adjacent side plate 4 and adapted to secure the adjustable bracket 24 at any adjustment within the limit of its pivotal movement. This will permit a pinion 17 of the desired diameter to be arranged in mesh with the master gear for obtaining the desired speed or power for cutting grass under varying conditions. The spur gearing is arranged within a suitable cap or cover late 30 which may be secured to'the side p ate 4 in any desired manner and which is provided opposite the pinion 17 with a pivoted plate or section 30 to afford access to the ear 17 to enable the same to be removed an changed for a car of different diameter without taking 0 the cap plate or housing 30.

The lawn mower is equipped with a stationary plate 31 to cooperate with the rotary cutting cylinder, and it is also provided with an adjustable roller 32. The roller is adjusted in the usual manner, and a grass bag or. receptacle 33 is arranged to receive the severed grass.

The lawn mower is equi ped with a handle 34'connected with the rame of the lawn mower by suitable braces 35 and provided with rigid laterally extending grip portions 36 and 37 on which sleeves 36 and 37 are mounted for rotary movement, and the said sleeves are e nipped with arms 39 and 40. The arm 39 1S connected by a rod 41 with one arm ofan angle lever 42 pivoted at an intermediate point at 43 on a supporting arm 52 of the handle 34 and connected by a rod 44 with the sparking controlling means. The other arm is connected by a rod 49 with one arm of a lever 50 fulcrumed at 51 on the arm or extension 52 of the handle at the opposite side from which the lever 42 is fulcrumed.

The supporting arm 52 of the handle is preferably an extension or piece held between the handle and one of the braces 35, but any other suitable means may. of course, be provided for mounting the levers and the spark controlling mechanism. The sleeves 36 and 37 which are arranged adjacent to the handle 34 so as to be out of the wa of the operator in the manipulation or guidin of the lawn mower, are preferably provid with milled outer mentor adjustment of the sleeves,

7 suitable means may be-emplo m line tank 45 lawn mower may blade the s ationary blade from the su means. .The stationary blade, 1

. sharpenin ,blades 0 lawn 4 the sharpening 0 1 46 read What is claimed is engine with one of thesup an portions to enable them to grasped for operation, and in be readily practice, suitable. graduations will be pro- ,vided for indicating the amount of move.- and any ed for retaining the spark and gas contro ling means in the desired adjustment,

, The handle 34 carries a longitudinal gasoprovided at the upper end with a flan fill aperture 46and' connected at its ower en by a suitable flexible tube 47 with the carburetor 48 of the internal combastion engine. By this arrangement, the be readily moved without material efi'ort over the grass to be cut,,and the speed oftthe engine may be easily controlled without removmg the hands'from the laterally projecting grooves 'of the handle 20 bar.

The changing of the not only provides for operation of the}- lawn mower at difierent speeds and. with 'variable power,

but this feature enables the law mower to be I 'readily sharpened without removal of the fromthe cylinder or the removal of 'o n whic isa 'ustable in the usual manner, is. adapted to properly settocause the blades of the cylinder tooperate with a grinding or action on'themselves on the stationary bade, and for this-purpose, it is designedto operate the engine at an exceed- 5 ingly slow speed, andto appl a mixture of, hour, emery and oil to the b ades. movement of the blades of the cylinder over A slow the stationary cutter orblade will whet the toe sharp 'edge and ifdesired, the mower .maybe .left unattended with the engine running at a slowspeed, while the lawn mower as been. sharpened, the blades are wiped--ofi, and the for use.

-.1. A motor lawn mower,

including a lawn mower havmg supporting wheels and provided with cutting mechanism, an internal- ,50 combustion .engine carried by the lawn mower, driving gearing connecting ,the internal. combustion engme with the cutting mechanism for" actuating the latter, startmg mechanism comprising engine crankinggearing connecting the internal combustion porti 5 wheels,

an automatic clutch device in t e latter gearing having means arranged to transmit 'motion' from the supporting. wheel of the lawn mower to them he and-to. automath cally unclutch the sai wheel from the enspeed of the supportin wheel,whe reby e engine may be start 1: gine when thespeed of the latter exceeds t e mower, driving gearing ternal combustion engine with the cuttin whereby the engine may be lawn mower including a side shaft, driving eration 'is efiected. After machine is by ushing the 1 lawn mower and when started mat'ically operate only nism without manual clutch.

2.- A motor lawn mower, including a lawn mower having supporting wheels and provided with cutting mechanism, an internal combustion engine carried by the lawn connecting the inoperation er the mechanism for actuating the latter, an cranking mechanism comprising a sprocket wheel connected with one of the supporting 'wheels,va sprocket pinion connected with the internal combustion engine, a sprocket chain arranged on the sprocket wheel and sprocket pinion, and 21h automatic clutch in the cranking mechanism arranged to transmit motion from the-supporting wheel to the engine and to unclutch the said wheel from the engine when the speed of the en ine exceeds that of the supporting wheel of the lawn mower,

started by ushing the lawn mower and when starte will automatically drive only the cutting mechanism without manual manipulation of clutch mechanism; l v

.3. A motor lawn mower, comprising a ing whe'elsand cutting mechanism, an internal. combustion engine carried by the crank shaft wit cranking mechanism comprisi sprocket gearing arranged at the outer ace of the plate, supportthe cutting mephalawn mower and provided with a crank caring for connecting the the cutting mechanism,

said plate and connected with one of the support n wheel's, and an automatic clutch arrange at the inner face of the sideplateand connected with the s rocket eari with the crank shaft 0 -the en me an having means to transmit. motion rom the supporting wheel to the crank shaft and to unclutch the su portin wheel from the crank shaft when t e spec I that of the supporting wheel of the lawn whereby-the engine maybe started b pus ing the lawn mower and when starts will automatically drive only the cutting mechanism without manual operation of the clutch. 7 L

4. A "motor lawn mower, comprising a lawn mower including a sup orting wheel, a side plate and cutting mec anism, an in ternal combustion en me having a crank shaft, a stand mounts on the side plate and. supporting the internal .combustionengine, driving gearing permanently connecting the crankshaft wit the cutting mechanism, cranking mechanism consistin of sprocket gearing mounted on the side p ate and con nected with the supporting wheel, and an automatic, clutch connecting the s rocket gearing 'lwith the crank shaft and. aving means to transmit motion from the sup rtof the engine exceeds v whereby the engine may be started by pushing the lawn mower and when started will automatically drive onl the cutting mechanism without manua operation of theclutch.

5. A motor lawn mower, comprising a lawn mower including supporting wheels and cutting mechanism, an mternal combustion engine carried by the lawn mower and vhaving a crank shaft extending across the said lawn mower, cranking mechanism comprising sprocket gearing arranged at one side of the lawn mower and connected with the supporting wheel, driving spur gearing located at the other side of the lawn mower and permanently connecting the cutting mechanism with the crank shaft, and

an automatic clutch connecting the'sprocket gearing with the crank shaft and having means arranged to transmit motion from the sup orting wheel to the crank shaft and to unc utch the supporting wheel from the crank shaft when the speed of the engine exceeds that of the supporting wheel of the lawn mower, whereby the engine may be started by pushing thelawn mower and when started will automatically actuate only the cutting mechanism without manual operation of the clutch.

6. A motor lawn mower, comprising a lawn mower including supporting wheels and a rotary cutting cylinder, an internal combustion engine carried by the lawn mower and arranged at one side thereof and having a crank shaft extending across the lawn mower, driving spur gearing located atone side of the lawn mower permanently connecting the crank shaft with the cutting cylinder, cranking mechanism comprising sprocket gearing located at the other side of. the lawn mower and connected with the supporting wheel, and an automatic clutch device connecting the crank shaft with the sprocket gearing and having means arranged to transmit motion from the supv porting wheel to thecrank shaft and to unclutch the sugportin wheel fromthecrank' shaft when t e spee of the enginecxceeds that of the supporting wheel of the lawn mower, whereby the engine may becranked by pushing the lawn ,mower and when started will automatically operate only the cutting mechanism without manual operation of the clutch.. 7

7. A motor lawnmower including a lawn mower having a cutting cylinder, an internal combustion engine providedv with a crank shaft, pinions connected with the crank pinions bein shaft and with the cylinder," one of the detachab e to permit pinions of difie'rent 'ameters to be used to vary the speed .ratic,'. and an adjustable master -;gear

meshing with the inions of the crank shaft and the cnttin cy inder. I

8. A motorfawn mower including a lawn mower having a rotary cutting cylinder provided with a shaft, an internal combustion en 'ne havin a crank shaft, pinions mounte on the sai shafts, the pinion of the crank' shaft being detachable to enable pinions of different diameters to be used to vary the speed ratio, and an adjustable master gear meshing with the said pinions.

9. A motor lawn mower including a lawn mower having a rotary cutting cyl' der provided with a shaft, an internal com ustion engine having a crank shaft, pinions mounted on the said shafts, the pinion of the crank shaft bein detachable to enable pinions of different iameters to be used to var the speed ratio, a master gear meshing wit the said pinions, an adjustable bracket carrying the master gear, and means for clamping the bracket in its adjustment.

10. A motor lawn mower including a lawn mower havin a rotarycuttin cylinder provided with a s aft, an interna combustion engine havin a crank shaft, pinions mounted on the sai shafts,the pinion of the crank shaft being detachable to enable pinions of different diameters to be used to, var the speed ratio, a master gear meshing wit the said pinions, an ad'ustab'le' bracket carrying the master gear an pivoted on the cylinder shaft and provided with a slot or opening" receiving the crank shaft, and means for clamping the bracket in its. adjustment;

11. A motor lawn mower includ' a lawn mower having a rotary cutting cylin er provided with a shaft, an internal combustion engine havin a crank shaft, pinions mounted on the sai shafts, the pinion of the crank shaft bein detachable to enable pinions of difierent lameters to be used to vary the ratio, a master gear m with rymg the master gear and pivoted on the sgeed eshmg e said pinions, an adjustable bracket car-- cylinder shaft and provided with a slot'or necting the engine with the cutting cy inder, I

cranking mechanism eomprism other ing connect the e' one o the supporting iii eels, m an automatic clutch device in the latter gearing am nged to, transmit motion from the sup porting wheel to theinternal-combustacn' engine andto unclntch supporting wheel from the engine when the speed of the engine exceeds that of the supporting wheel of the lawn mower, whereby the engine may be cranked b ushing the lawn mower and when cranl ie will automatically drive only the cuttin mechanism without manual operationof 51c clutch.

13. A motor lawn mower including a lawn mower having a handle having fixed grip portions, an internal combustion engine connected with the cutting mechanism of the lawn mower, and spark and gas controlling means located at opposite sides of the handle and comprising rotary sleeves mounted on the grip portions of the handle adjacent the latter.

14. A motor lawn mower including a lawn mower, and having a handle provided with fixed laterally extending grip-portions, an internal combustion engme mounted on the lawn mower, a supporting arm carried by the handle, levers mounted on the supportin arm and connected with the carburetor and the spark controlling mechanism of the internal combustion engine, sleeves arranged supporting on the grip portions of the handle .ad'aoent the sleeves along the andle to the said levers.

15. A motor lawn mower, comprising a lawn mower including supporting wheels, an internal combustion engine carried by the lawn mower, cranking mechanism com rising gearing connecting the internal com ustion engine with'the su porting wheel, and an automatic clutch in t e said gearing having means arranged to transmit motion from the sup orting w eel to the engine and to unclutoh t e supporting wheel from the engine when the speed of the engine exceeds that of the supporting wheel of the lawn mower, whereby the engine may be cranked by ushing the lawn mower and when started will operate automatically independently of the wheel without manual operation of the clutch.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' ALLEN W. BROWN, 

